22 best body washes for sensitive skin in 2022

You’ve always been told to feel comfortable in your own skin…but having sensitive skin can make that mantra difficult to follow. Sensitive skin sufferers often experience bad reactions to everyday body products, leading to issues like redness, itching, and burning.

Luckily, using a body wash with the right ingredients can easily reverse some of the downsides of sensitive skin. Plant-based, fragrance-free, and dermatologically approved formulas provide the nourishment your skin craves, without the side effects you’ve grown to dread.

Advances in skincare allow you to embrace your sensitive side like never before—the only difficulty lies in finding the right product. But rather than spending precious hours scouring drugstore shelves, we recommend that you take a look at our list of 22 best body washes for sensitive skin in 2022.

With options for all different budgets, needs, and preferences, you can easily discover one that works for you.

1. Blu Atlas | Body Wash

Toxic chemicals, artificial fragrances, and sketchy ingredient lists are so last season. Just as your sensitive skin deserves a soothing cleanse, you deserve peace of mind when it comes to your body care products. For this reason, Blu Atlas’ body wash is our decisive favorite atop our list of the best body washes for sensitive skin.

Gentle enough for daily use, but powerful enough to guarantee long-lasting effects, this wash supports your skin with the nutrients it needs to thrive. Anti-inflammatory green tea extract, hydrating aloe, and emulsifying coconut are just a few of Blu Atlas’ all-star ingredients. The body wash’s all-natural formula cleanses pores, smooths the skin, and locks in moisture for a new you in 2022.

2. La Roche-Posay | Lipikar Wash AP+

(Amazon) | La Roche-Posay, Lipikar Wash AP+.

La Roche-Posay is no novice when it comes to dermatological skin care. Specially crafted for sensitive or extra-dry skin, this French-made skincare brand has been recommended by tens of thousands of dermatologists worldwide as well as the National Eczema Association.

Lipikar AP+ is a remarkably gentle body and face wash that provides 24 hours of hydration following each use. Its simple, effective ingredients include glycerin, shea butter, niacinamide, and mineral-rich thermal waters. La Roche Posay’s products are free of parabens, allergens, and artificial fragrances, making them safe for the entire family.

3. The Honest Company | Soothing Therapy Body Wash

(The Honest Company) | Soothing Therapy Body Wash.

For those with eczema-prone skin, this body wash offers a soothing and fortifying daily skincare solution. The formula contains natural prebiotics that stimulates the production of healthy, infection-fighting bacteria. Meanwhile, colloidal oatmeal emulsifies the skin and prevents itchiness. The delicate, steroid-free formula makes this wash safe enough for even the youngest users.

With hypoallergenic, dermatologist-approved ingredients and a rich lather, the soothing therapy body wash is an excellent choice for those with sensitive skin. Luckily, the brand’s all-natural skincare line is also affordably priced.

4. Puracy | Natural Body Wash

(Puracy) | Natural Body Wash.

People with sensitive skin don’t often find a plethora of options when it comes to skincare. But for those who are frustrated with a one-style-fits-all product, this wash offers the luxury of choice. With Puracy’s body wash you can still smell fabulous while soothing your sensitive skin.

This all-natural, plant-based body wash comes in three incredible scents—citrus & sea salt (our favorite), coconut & vanilla, and bergamot & sandalwood. A gentle blend of coco glycinate, essential oils, and Himalayan sea salt cleanses, exfoliates, and hydrates your skin with each use. You’ll be amazed to learn that Puracy’s wash is also gentle enough for pets.

5. Dermalogica | Conditioning Body Wash

(Dermalogica) | Conditioning Body Wash.

Dermalogica combines sensitive skincare with the luxury we expect from a salon experience. The skin-therapist founded company is on a mission to create innovative products that simultaneously improve skin health.

This conditioning wash claims to reinvent the art of bathing. Its nourishing, botanical formula contains eucalyptus, tea tree, and lemon oils to cleanse extra sensitive skin. Refreshing sandalwood, lavender, orange, and sage are blended to create an unforgettable scent profile. Pro-vitamin B5 promotes the skin’s lipid barrier health, while also providing soothing hydration.

As an additional benefit, Dermalogica’s formula meets all ingestible vegan and gluten-free standards.

6. Kiehl’s | “Made For All” Gentle Body Wash

(Kiehl’s) | “Made For All” Gentle Body Wash.

True to its name, Kiehl’s “Made For All” wash is indeed suitable for the entire family. Forget harsh chemical scents and tacky marketing gimmicks; Kiehl’s offers a true all-in-one body wash that’s as effective as it is versatile. We honestly couldn’t imagine our list of the best body washes for sensitive skin without it!

The wash has a unique gel texture that combines with water to produce a refreshing lather. Its 95% natural formula contains sustainably sourced aloe and hand-harvested soap tree extract. Even the product’s bottle is made from 100% post-recycled plastic. It comes as no surprise that this Kiehl’s body wash is dermatologist-, pediatrician-, and ophthalmologist-recommended.

7. Disco | Moisturizing Body Wash

(Disco) | Moisturizing Body Wash.

Disco’s award-winning skincare line brings you scientifically backed formulas made with naturally invigorating ingredients. Developed in partnership with a Yale-trained dermatologist, Disco’s body wash brightens and moisturizes, without taxing sensitive skin. Its all-natural formula contains nutrient-rich aloe, revitalizing horsetail, and restorative chamomile. The body wash’s subtle eucalyptus fragrance is well-loved by men and women alike.

More importantly, Disco’s body wash is a product that delivers results. With daily use, many of the brand’s customers observe smoother, brighter, and healthier skin.

8. Be-One Organics | Tea Tree Oil Body Wash

(Amazon) | Be-One Organics, Tea Tree Oil Body Wash.

In the same way that organic food is best for your belly, an organic body wash is best for your skin. And this Be-One Organics formula is as organic as they get. USDA certified, 100% natural, and made in the USA, this body cleanser contains nothing but the safest, highest quality ingredients.

Organic aloe juice, coconut oil, shea butter, and jojoba provide long-lasting daily hydration, while tea-tree oil and natural peppermint leave you feeling clean and fresh. The formula is free of artificial fragrances, stabilizers, or thickeners. It works for men and women of all ages, including those with eczema, psoriasis, and acne.

9. Aveeno | Skin Relief Body Wash

(Amazon) | Aveeno, Skin Relief Body Wash.

When it comes to caring for sensitive skin, Aveeno is something of a household staple. With its proven track record, affordable price point, and widespread availability, Aveeno makes sensitive skin relief just a trip to the drugstore away.

Formulated free of artificial fragrances, parabens, and dyes, this body wash draws its healing qualities from natural colloidal oatmeal. While clearing the skin of grime, oil, and bacteria, the formula relieves dryness and itchiness by restoring the skin’s natural moisture. Its thick, foamy lather even allows this body wash to double as a shaving cream for sensitive skin.

10. Mrs. Meyer’s | Clean Day Body Wash

(Mrs. Meyer’s) | Clean Day Body Wash.

This hydrating wash is unique for its mood-enhancing fragrance combinations. With Mrs. Meyer’s, you can choose from five garden-inspired body washes that are gentle on both the skin and the palette: crisp basil, fresh lavender, sweet honeysuckle, citrusy lemon verbena, and bold geranium.

The dermatologist-approved formula moisturizes and refreshes sensitive skin with plant-based, cruelty-free ingredients that include aloe vera gel, flaxseed, and other essential oils. An affordable price tag ensures that you can try any of Mrs. Meyer’s five scents to find your favorite, or simply mix and match.

11. Nécessaire | The Body Wash

(Nécessaire) | The Body Wash.

Nécessaire’s aptly named daily body wash packs all your skincare necessities in a single product, while still being gentle enough for sensitive users. Perhaps it’s for this reason that this body wash has recently scooped up a handful of awards from prestigious publications such as Allure and Women’s Health.

The fragrance-free formula is rich in essential vitamins including vitamin E, vitamin C, omega 6, and niacinamide. The body wash produces an exceptional lather to purify, nurture, and balance your skin on an everyday basis. A sustainable, cruelty-free production process ensures that the wash is as good for the environment as it is for your skin.

12. Method Body | Stay Hydrated Body Wash

(Target) | Method Body, Stay Hydrated Body Wash.

Don’t let this brand’s no-frills skincare line fool you into believing that it is subpar. Method Body’s hydrating body wash contains all that we look for in a salon-quality product and then some.

The paraben-, phthalate-, formaldehyde-, and cruelty-free body wash makes it an ideal choice for those with allergies or sensitivities. Its intensely hydrating coconut milk formula restores the skin’s moisture without causing oil-buildup or irritation. A subtle, tropical fragrance adds a glimmer of sunshine to your daily bathing ritual.

13. Glossier | Body Hero Daily Wash

(Glossier) | Body Hero Daily Wash.

It’s difficult not to fall in love with Glossier’s stunning product designs and bright fashion-inspired colors. But in the case of the Body Hero wash, the contents are even more impressive than their packaging.

Crafted as a facial cleanser, but designed for the entire body, Glossier’s body wash delivers an exceptional clean feeling without you out. Thanks to its unique seven-oil blend, this cleanser attracts daily dirt and grime up and away from sensitive skin. An elegant orange-blossom and neroli scent accompanies you following each use. What’s not to love about this glamorous and nourishing body wash?

14. CeraVe | Hydrating Body Wash

(Amazon) | CeraVe, Hydrating Body Wash.

For an intensely restorative experience, those of us with sensitive skin can always rely on CeraVe’s #1 dermatologist-recommended formula. Developed in 2005, the wash is based on the three essential ceramides that make up the skin’s natural barrier. The unique composition helps to restore the skin’s defenses against external damage, while locking in much-needed moisture.

The non-irritating formula is a true standout when it comes to skin health, and is made fragrance-, paraben-, sulfate-, and soap-free. The product is non-comedogenic, safe for users with allergies, and accepted by the National Eczema Association.

15. Shea Moisture | Olive and Green Tea Bubble Bath and Body Wash

(Shea Moisture) | Olive and Green Tea Bubble Bath and Body Wash.

You might believe that the phrases “sensitive skin” and “bubble bath” do not belong in the same sentence. It is true that highly scented, sudsy, and artificially formulated products are usually not a good idea for those with sensitivities. Shea Moisture, however, is different. Its gentle, nutrient-rich, foaming body wash is safe enough for any skin type, which means you can finally enjoy that bubble bath experience you’ve always dreamed of.

This bubble bath and body wash duo replenishes the skin’s moisture to offer all-over anti-aging effects. Using a blend of avocado, olive oil, and green tea extracts, Shea Moisture’s wash smooths and softens without stripping the skin of its natural defenses.

16. L’Occitane | Creme de Douche

(Amazon) | L’Occitane, Creme de Douche.

Unlike most gel-based body washes, L’Occitane’s coveted Creme de Douche can be gently massaged into the skin and hair for ultra-hydrating effects. Made with mostly natural ingredients, the body cream’s 5% shea butter formula contains natural coconut foaming agents and fortifying soy proteins.

A gentle floral scent leaves skin and hair smelling fabulous all day. As an added bonus, L’Occitane’s convenient squeeze bottle makes the body wash ideal for both home and travel use.

17. Salt & Stone | Antioxidant Body Wash

(Amazon) | L’Occitane, Creme de Douche.

For the perfect blend of contemporary elegance and the highest-quality ingredients, look no further than Salt & Stone’s Antioxidant Body Wash. Described by the brand itself as a “cleanser for skin health,” this wash nourishes, hydrates, and refreshes all skin types.

Salt & Stone will blow you away with their botanically based, organically sourced ingredient list. Antioxidant blueberry extract fights inflammation, hyaluronic acid provides intense moisture, and niacinamide strengthens the skin’s protective barriers. Sophisticated notes of bergamot and eucalyptus create an extraordinarily nuanced scent profile. More importantly, the brand’s paraben-, oil-, and phthalate-free formula puts your health and safety first.

18. Drunk Elephant | Kamili™ Cream Body Cleanser

(Drunk Elephant) | Kamili™ Cream Body Cleanser.

Established in 2012, Drunk Elephant commits itself to avoiding the top six most harmful ingredients known to skincare: essential oils, drying alcohols, silicones, chemical sunscreens, fragrances/dyes, and SLS. The so-called “suspicious six” have been linked to almost every skincare issue you may encounter. For this and other reasons, this innovative cleanser is ideally suited for individuals with sensitive skin.

The formula uses mild surfactants rather than harsh sulfates to create a gently invigorating lather. Fragrance-free plant oils, maracuja oil, sweet almond, and fatty-acid rich marula are among this body wash’s most powerful plant-based ingredients. Drunk Elephant’s formula maintains pH levels at 5.0 to keep the skin at its most balanced state.

19. Ivory | Cleanse and Nourish Body Wash

(Amazon) | Ivory, Cleanse and Nourish Body Wash.

Though best known for its famed soap dating back to 1882, P&G’s Ivory brand makes an ultra-gentle body wash that gives competitors a run for its money. Made with free and clean ingredients—rather than parabens, dyes, and other chemical agents, the Cleanse and Nourish Bodywash is safe enough to use on an everyday basis.

Its pH-balanced formula softens dry skin, while essential oils provide healthy daily nourishment. A unique pear and sandalwood scent combination adds a note of sophistication to an otherwise classic body wash. Ivory’s body wash is affordably priced and comes in 16.9-ounce bottles for long-lasting use for the entire family.

20. Jason | Calming Lavender Body Wash

(Amazon) | Jason, Calming Lavender Body Wash.

There’s no better way to end your day than with the calming scent of fresh, natural lavender. And luckily for those with sensitive skin, Jason brand also makes this wash safe, gentle, and chemical-free. Instead of that dreaded list of unpronounceable ingredients, Jason’s formula uses only those which can be found in nature. Nourishing vitamin E, marigold, and lavender extracts moisturize, soothe, and tone sensitive skin areas.

As a pioneer in the natural skincare industry, Jason brand has been crafting exceptional plant-based products since 1959. Our survey of the best body washes for sensitive skin would never be complete without Jason’s historic standards of excellence.

21. The Seaweed Bath Co. | Energizing Body Wash

(Amazon) | The Seaweed Bath Co., Energizing Body Wash.

Whether or not we have sensitive skin, most of us could always use an extra shot of energy. The Seaweed Bath Co. brings you an uplifting and invigorating body wash while also looking out for its most sensitive users.

Drawing on a creative combination of ingredients, The Seaweed Bath Co.’s body wash brings you soothing hydration with a surprising boost. Its hallmark ingredient is sustainably harvested bladderwrack seaweed, which contains as many as 65 essential vitamins and minerals. Matcha, ginseng, and coffee extract provide that extra burst of energy customers are raving about. True to its skin-friendly commitment, the brand skips on BPA, gluten, and animal byproducts.

22. VMW Hypoallergenics | Essence Skin-Saving Clark Wash

(VMW Hypoallergenics) | Essence Skin-Saving Clark Wash.

Rounding out this year’s list, we have a little-known gem from VMW Hypoallergenics. And if you are still looking for one of the gentlest formulas out there, then this natural cleanser may just be for you.

This allergen, fragrance, and oil-free body wash has been specially created for individuals with hypersensitive skin and hair. Doubling as a shampoo and shower gel, this delicate wash reduces acne, itchiness, rashes, and hyperpigmentation on the body and scalp. Though it is best suited for the most sensitive among us, this antioxidant-rich body wash provides soothing nourishment to all of its users.

Need an additional hand in solving your sensitive skin issues? Read on for more information in our FAQ section.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is sensitive skin? What are some of the conditions that cause it?

Sensitive skin is a skin type that reacts adversely to many of the most common body care ingredients. You may first notice that you have sensitive skin when a cosmetic product causes an unexpected flare-up of redness, swelling, or irritation.

Despite what it seems like, sensitive skin is not a condition in itself; rather, it is a symptom of another underlying skin or health issue. Side effects can usually be alleviated by switching to gentler, or all-natural skin products. However, if you find that your reactions are unusually severe, it may be time to consult with a physician.

Some of the leading causes of sensitive skin include dry skin, eczema, allergies, irritant-contact dermatitis, rosacea, and psoriasis.

How does one manage sensitive skin? How does one avoid its symptoms?

The first step in managing sensitive skin is finding the most compatible body products. Hopefully, with the help of the above list, you will be well on your way to the achievement of this goal.

Aside from the products that you purchase, there are several other ways to find relief from conditions related to sensitive skin. For one, dermatologists caution against showering with hot water, as hot water can irritate even otherwise healthy skin.

Avoiding products that contain fragrances can be another useful step against sensitive skin. This includes everything from the scented laundry detergent that you use to wash clothes, to the body spray or perfume you wear before going out. You may even consider switching to organic or unscented home cleaning products.

Finally, before using any new product, performing a simple patch test may help you determine whether or not it irritates your skin. This involves applying the product to a small area of the skin and then monitoring it for up to two days to test for a reaction.

Which ingredients work best for sensitive skin?

In addition to fragrance-free ingredients, users with sensitive skin can benefit from natural, plant-based emollients and antioxidants. Look out for products that contain anti-inflammatory, soothing, or restorative properties.

Just to name a few: aloe vera, hyaluronic acid, argan oil, calendula, jojoba, chamomile, and shea butter may all work well for sensitive wearers. Certain types of sea algae have also proved beneficial for some users. Look for labels that contain the words: hypoallergenic, gentle, and safe for sensitive skin.

Which ingredients should I avoid if I have sensitive skin?

While trial-and-error is always a good way to make certain, a number of ingredients have been known to cause reactions in sensitive users. Retinol, for example, frequently triggers redness and irritation. Salicylic acid, coconut oil, vitamin E and benzoyl peroxide are among some of the others to avoid.

Of course, there are also certain ingredients that all users should avoid, regardless of skin type. These include parabens, phthalates, sulfates, mineral salts, formaldehyde, and artificial dyes. For the safest body care experience, consider going all-natural.

Body wash, shower gel, bath cream, bubble bath, or just plain soap—is there any real difference? Which works best for sensitive skin?

Believe it or not, these products are different in more than name only. Soap is typically the harshest on the skin and not advisable for those with sensitive skin. Body washes usually contain both moisturizers and cleansers that could work for sensitive skin caused by dryness.

Shower gel has the consistency of a body wash but is usually thinner and does not contain exfoliants. Shower gel may prove an excellent choice for users with oily skin, as it is less likely to cause residual buildup.

In general, your selection will depend on your individual preferences; however, we stand by our recommendation of performing a patch test prior to switching to a new type of product.

Many products designed for sensitive skin can also be all-natural, organic, or sustainable? What do all of these labels mean and is there really a difference?

Similar to what we find on our food containers, skincare products may carry a wide variety of different labels. Understanding the differences may help customers make more informed decisions about their purchases.

All-natural: The term “all-natural” implies that the product was made with ingredients sourced from nature. Usually, this also means that the product contains no artificial color or fragrance. In general, using all-natural products is safer for one’s overall well-being. However, it is important to note that certain producers will use the all-natural label as a marketing ploy rather than an indication of quality. For instance, a product can be rather ambiguously marketed as 95% natural, leaving the customer in the dark about its true composition.

Organic: The term “organic” implies an all-natural product that also does not contain pesticides, artificial growth hormones, and other artificial additives. An organic product is always a natural one, but the reverse is not necessarily true. Organic ingredients make for the highest quality skincare products, but they can often be prohibitively expensive.

Sustainable: The term “sustainable” refers to the means of production rather than the ingredients themselves. Sustainability often goes hand-in-hand with all-natural and organic products, though that cannot be said for 100% of all cases. In the skincare industry, sustainability is synonymous with protecting the environment as well as the laborers. This can mean that the product contains non-toxic ingredients and recyclable ingredients. Sustainable products are made cruelty-free, which means that they have not been tested on animals.

Purchasing sustainable products helps reduce our carbon footprint, taking care of the planet for future generations. If you have the means to do so, we always recommend opting for sustainability.

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